Middlesbrough loan star Ben Doak is back at Liverpool after a minor operation and it remains to be seen if he returns this season, as per The Northern Echo.
Middlesbrough looked to have made a real coup last summer when they signed Liverpool winger Ben Doak on a season-long loan. The Scottish starlet is tipped for a bright future and had plenty of interest, but it was Boro who struck a deal.
He quickly showed why he’s been highly rated at Anfield too. Doak found starts under Michael Carrick earlier and proved a constant threat on the right-wing, managing three goals and seven assists in 24 Championship games.
middlesbrough boss michael carrrick Boro
Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS.
However, Boro have now been without Doak since the end of January due to injury. It was hoped a return was nearing, but the Teesside outfit have now been dealt a big blow.
As reported by The Northern Echo, Middlesbrough loan ace Doak is currently back with parent club Liverpool after undergoing minor surgery on a thigh injury.
Regular contact will be maintained between the clubs and Carrick has not given up hope of Doak returning before the season’s end. But, at the very least, he looks set to miss a good chunk of the 11 games left.
A big loss
In a time where Middlesbrough have been struggling for form, barring the last two games, having someone as inspirational as Doak would have been of real use to Carrick.
The Liverpool loanee has shown on numerous occasions his ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and pull off something impressive. That’s often in the form of a lung-busting run down the right followed by a tidy assist.
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Boro - Middlesbrough loan ace Ben Doak
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
However, Carrick and co look as though they will have to fare with Doak for a little longer after this minor operation and subsequent return to Liverpool.
In his absence…
Middlesbrough do have other players ready to step up on the right-hand side, they just need them to find form.
Morgan Whittaker has played on the right and centrally as an attacking midfielder but is yet to find his lethal best. He did notch his first goal contribution with an assist against Stoke City though.
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Marcus Forss, who scored in that win, has started the last two matches on the right-hand side. It could be the Finn who locks down start spot in Doak’s absence while Whittaker operates centrally.